GB2261316A - A method of decontaminating a cementitious surface - Google Patents
A method of decontaminating a cementitious surface Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2261316A GB2261316A GB9122147A GB9122147A GB2261316A GB 2261316 A GB2261316 A GB 2261316A GB 9122147 A GB9122147 A GB 9122147A GB 9122147 A GB9122147 A GB 9122147A GB 2261316 A GB2261316 A GB 2261316A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- micro
- organism
- nutrient source
- thiobacillus
- sulphur
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 22
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 235000015097 nutrients Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000000941 radioactive substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sulfate Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 229910021653 sulphate ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000005422 blasting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000001680 brushing effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 241000605118 Thiobacillus Species 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910010272 inorganic material Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011147 inorganic material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000605178 Halothiobacillus neapolitanus Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000605179 Thiomonas intermedia Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000005670 electromagnetic radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005538 encapsulation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004017 vitrification Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000605272 Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Species 0.000 description 3
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005202 decontamination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003588 decontaminative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000020774 essential nutrients Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000001117 sulphuric acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
- G21F9/00—Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
- G21F9/001—Decontamination of contaminated objects, apparatus, clothes, food; Preventing contamination thereof
- G21F9/002—Decontamination of the surface of objects with chemical or electrochemical processes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
- G21F9/00—Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
- G21F9/001—Decontamination of contaminated objects, apparatus, clothes, food; Preventing contamination thereof
- G21F9/005—Decontamination of the surface of objects by ablation
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
- Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
- Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
- Biological Treatment Of Waste Water (AREA)
Abstract
A cementitious surface contaminated with a radioactive substance is decontaminated by applying a micro-organism to the surface to degrade the surface. The residue which contains the radioactive substance is then removed by suction, scraping, brushing or abrasion blasting. The micro-organism might comprise an aerobic sulphur oxidising bacteria, or an anaerobic sulphate reducing bacteria, or a mixture thereof. Action of the micro-organism can be stopped as necessary by heating, or by depriving the micro-organism of nutrients.
Description
1 Decontamination of a Cementitious Surface This invention relates to the
decontamination of a cementitious surface, and more particularly to a surface contaminated with at least one radioactive substance.
In the nuclear industry a cementitious material such as concrete is commonly used to retain radioactive substances. During this use the surface of the concrete can become impregnated with the radioactive substances, or the radioactive substances can become chemically bound with the concrete at the surface. Before the concrete is subsequently stored in a suitable waste disposal site, it is desirable to remove the radioactive substances from the surface.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of decontaminating a cementitious surface contaminated with at least one radioactive substance, the method comprising applying a micro-organism to the surface in conditions conducive to growth of the micro-organism to degrade the surface and thereby release a material comprising the radioactive substance, and removing the released material from the surface.
Preferably, the micro-organism comprises a species of thiobacillus such as thiobacillus thiooxidans, and, desirably the conditions include a sulphur containing nutrient source at the surface.
It may be necessary to apply the nutrient source before or at the same time as the application of the thiobacillus micro-organism. Alternatively, the cementitious surface itself may contain a said nutrient source.
2 Removal of the released material may be effected for example, by vacuum suction, by scraping or brushing, or by abrasion blasting.
The conditions to induce growth of the micro-organism might include adjustment of:
humidity temperature electromagnetic radiation, eg visible light, infra red, ultraviolet acid forming material A dry powder application of the nutrient source may suffice, the humidity being arranged to diffuse the nutrients to the micro-organism.
once the concrete surface has been satisfactorily is decontaminated, the micro-organism may be stopped by heating, or by depriving it of essential nutrients.
The removed material containing the radioactive substance should be high in inorganic material and, therefore, be appropriate for encapsulation in concrete or by vitrification.
In an application of the invention, core samples are taken to ascertain the depth of the contamination. Then a layer of thiobacillus thiooxidans micro-organism is applied to the concrete surface in conditions of temperature, humidity, and light, conducive to growth of the microorganism. The concrete contains sufficient natural sulphur to avoid the need for the application of a nutrient source. otherwise a source such as sulphuric acid would be applied. When a sufficient depth of degradation of the surface has occurred, the Taicro- organism is killed by application 1 3 of intense heat. The resulting concrete powder is removed by suction and eventually encapsulated in concrete for disposal.
Although the invention has been described in relation to the use of thiobacillus thiooxidans, it might be possible to use micro-organisms that cause less severe degradation of the concrete, such as thiobacillus neapolitanus, or thiobacillus intermedius.
The thiobacillus genus constitute aerobic sulphur oxidising bacteria (SOB). Degradation of concrete is also possible with anaerobic sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB). Where the oxygen conditions fluctuate a mixture of SOB and SRB micro-organisms might be applied.
30783 n.
4+
Claims (18)
- ClaimsA method of decontaminating a cementitious surface contaminated with at least one radioactive substance, the method comprising applying a micro-organism to the surface in conditions conducive to growth of the micro-organism to degrade the surface and thereby release a material comprising the radioactive substance, and removing the released material from the surface.
- 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the conditions to induce growth of the micro-organism include adjustment of humidity, temperature, electromagnetic radiation, and acid forming material.
- 3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the micro-organism comprises aerobic sulphur oxidising bacteria.
- 4. A method as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the Taicro-organism comprises a species of thiobacillus.
- 5. A method as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the micro-organism comprises thiobacillus thioxidans, or thiobacillus neapolitanus, or thiobacillus intermedius.
- 6. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the micro-organism comprises anaerobic sulphate reducing bacteria.
- 7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the micro-organism comprises a mixture of aerobic sulphur oxidising bacteria and anaerobic sulphate reducing bacteria.
- 8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conditions include a sulphur-containing nutrient source at the surface.
- 9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the nutrient source is applied before the application of the micro-organism.
- 10. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the nutrient source is applied at the same time as the micro-organism.
- 11. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the nutrient source is applied as a dry powder, the humidity being arranged to diffuse the nutrients to the micro-organism.j S
- 12. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cementitious surface itself contains a sulphur-containing nutrient source.
- 13. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, including subsequently stopping the micro-organism by heating
- 14. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, including subsequently stopping the micro-organism by depriving the micro-organism of - nutrients.
- 15. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein removal of the release material is effected by vacuum suction, or scraping, or brushing, or abrasion blasting.
- 16. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the removed material containing the radioactive substance is high in inorganic material.
- 17. A method as claimed in claim 16, including immobilising the inorganic material by encapsulation in concrete, or by vitrification.
- 18. A method of decontaminating a cementitious surface substantially as hereinbefore described.
Priority Applications (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9122147A GB2261316B (en) | 1991-10-18 | 1991-10-18 | Decontamination of a cementitious surface |
| JP4277318A JPH0792520B2 (en) | 1991-10-18 | 1992-10-15 | Radioactivity removal method on cementitious surface |
| US07/961,663 US5414196A (en) | 1991-10-18 | 1992-10-16 | Method of decontaminating a cementitious surface |
| DE4235001A DE4235001C2 (en) | 1991-10-18 | 1992-10-16 | Process for decontaminating a concrete surface |
| FR9212416A FR2682804A1 (en) | 1991-10-18 | 1992-10-16 | METHOD FOR DECONTAMINATION OF A CIMENTIVE SURFACE |
| CA002080874A CA2080874C (en) | 1991-10-18 | 1992-10-19 | A method of decontaminating a cementitious surface |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9122147A GB2261316B (en) | 1991-10-18 | 1991-10-18 | Decontamination of a cementitious surface |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9122147D0 GB9122147D0 (en) | 1991-12-11 |
| GB2261316A true GB2261316A (en) | 1993-05-12 |
| GB2261316B GB2261316B (en) | 1995-04-12 |
Family
ID=10703159
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9122147A Expired - Fee Related GB2261316B (en) | 1991-10-18 | 1991-10-18 | Decontamination of a cementitious surface |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5414196A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0792520B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2080874C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4235001C2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2682804A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2261316B (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1996003754A1 (en) * | 1994-07-28 | 1996-02-08 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | A method of decontaminating a cementitious or a metallic surface |
| EP1198306A4 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 2004-04-28 | Bechtel Bwxt Idaho Llc | ENCLOSURE METHOD FOR PRESERVING BIO-RENOVABILITY |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRPI0511684B1 (en) * | 2004-05-30 | 2017-06-20 | Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Proprietary | METHOD OF TREATMENT OF IRRADIATED MATERIAL |
| KR100939033B1 (en) * | 2007-11-29 | 2010-01-27 | 한국원자력연구원 | Biological Barriers, Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities and Methods for Controlling Underground Uranium Movement |
| JP5148319B2 (en) * | 2008-02-27 | 2013-02-20 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Liquefied gas reliquefaction apparatus, liquefied gas storage equipment and liquefied gas carrier equipped with the same, and liquefied gas reliquefaction method |
| KR101223157B1 (en) * | 2010-11-30 | 2013-01-17 | 한국수력원자력 주식회사 | Biobarrier to retard the spreading of radionuclides from the ground radwaste storage |
| WO2012078554A2 (en) * | 2010-12-07 | 2012-06-14 | President And Fellows Of Harvard College | Biochemical systems for sulfur and carbon sequestration |
| JP6210657B2 (en) | 2011-10-31 | 2017-10-11 | 株式会社西武新聞社 | Decontamination method |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0224510B1 (en) * | 1985-05-28 | 1991-01-16 | Recytec S.A. | Process for decontaminating radioactively contaminated metalic or cement-containing materials |
| DE3545325A1 (en) * | 1985-12-20 | 1987-06-25 | Dechema | METHOD FOR GROUND DECONTAMINATION BY MICROORGANISMS |
| US4655794A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1987-04-07 | Sybron Chemicals Holdings Inc. | Liquid cleaner containing viable microorganisms |
| US5264018A (en) * | 1987-01-28 | 1993-11-23 | Plant Research Laboratories Inc. | Use of metallic peroxides in biormediation |
| FI89581C (en) * | 1987-04-08 | 1993-10-25 | Imatran Voima Oy | FOERFARANDE FOER BEHANDLING AV AVFALL SOM INNEHAOLLER LAOGAKTIVA ORGANISKA AVFALLSSAMMANSAETTNINGAR FRAON KAERNKRAFTVERK MED HJAELP AV ANAEROBISK JAESNING |
| FR2640528A1 (en) * | 1988-12-21 | 1990-06-22 | Ass Tech Rech Indle | Process for cleaning inscriptions and graffiti on the surfaces of buildings, monuments and other civil engineering works, and product for implementation of this process |
| GB8904432D0 (en) * | 1989-02-27 | 1989-04-12 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | Removal of thorium from raffinate |
| US5011708A (en) * | 1989-06-06 | 1991-04-30 | University Of Virginia Alumni Patents Foundation | Use of radioactive nickel-63 to inhibit microbially induced corrosion |
| US5152341A (en) * | 1990-03-09 | 1992-10-06 | Raymond S. Kasevich | Electromagnetic method and apparatus for the decontamination of hazardous material-containing volumes |
| DE4014854A1 (en) * | 1990-05-09 | 1991-11-14 | Biek Volker Dr | Removing oil and fat from concrete, cement or stone floor - or other porous surface by brushing on nutrient soln. contg. Pseudomonas Putidans and feeding compressed air |
| US5047152A (en) * | 1990-11-05 | 1991-09-10 | Associated Universities, Inc. | Microbial stabilization and mass reduction of wastes containing radionuclides and toxic metals |
-
1991
- 1991-10-18 GB GB9122147A patent/GB2261316B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-10-15 JP JP4277318A patent/JPH0792520B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-10-16 DE DE4235001A patent/DE4235001C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-10-16 US US07/961,663 patent/US5414196A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-10-16 FR FR9212416A patent/FR2682804A1/en active Granted
- 1992-10-19 CA CA002080874A patent/CA2080874C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1996003754A1 (en) * | 1994-07-28 | 1996-02-08 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | A method of decontaminating a cementitious or a metallic surface |
| US5839079A (en) * | 1994-07-28 | 1998-11-17 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | Method of decontaminating a cementitious or a metallic surface |
| EP1198306A4 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 2004-04-28 | Bechtel Bwxt Idaho Llc | ENCLOSURE METHOD FOR PRESERVING BIO-RENOVABILITY |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0792520B2 (en) | 1995-10-09 |
| GB9122147D0 (en) | 1991-12-11 |
| CA2080874C (en) | 2002-05-07 |
| CA2080874A1 (en) | 1993-04-19 |
| FR2682804B1 (en) | 1995-05-05 |
| GB2261316B (en) | 1995-04-12 |
| US5414196A (en) | 1995-05-09 |
| DE4235001C2 (en) | 1996-02-08 |
| FR2682804A1 (en) | 1993-04-23 |
| JPH05215896A (en) | 1993-08-27 |
| DE4235001A1 (en) | 1993-04-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20081018 |